Combined spark-plug terminal and protector



E. H. WEBER.

COMBINED SPARK PLUG TERMINAL AND PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEFT.16, l9l9. I

Patented May 3, 1921.

WITNESSES I/V l/EIV TOR BE BY V ATTORNEYS COMBINED SPARK-PLUG TERMINALAND PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1921.

Application filed September 16, 1919. Serial No. 324,076.

ter specified, wherein a one-piece combined terminal and protector isprovided for conveniently attaching the wire to the plug without toolsor solder, and without the possibility of receiving a shock from contactwith the parts.

A further object is to provide a device ofthe character specified ofinsulating ma terial, having a metal lining providing a positive meansfor preventing the terminal from becoming detached from the spark plugaccidentally, and to prevent the gripping surfaces wearing out fromfrequent attachment for cleaning or changing.

A further object is to provide a device that will fit all makes of sparkplug terminals regardless of size.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side view'of the spark plug having theprotector, with the protector in section,

Fig. 2 is a view of the protector removed showing the metal lining,

Fig. 3 is a section through the lining,

Fig. 4-is a similar view of another form of lining,

Fig. 5 is a front view of the protector.

In the present embodiment of the inven tion, a spark plug 1 of usualconstruction is provided, the said plug having the usual terminal 2 withwhich the conductor 3 is to be connected. The protector which isof'insulating material, as for instance, soft rubber consists ofportions 4: and 5, extending at approximately right angles with respectto each other.

The portion 4: of the protector is frustoconical in shape, adapted tofit over the end of the spark plug, and the portion 5 has asubstantially cylindrical bore 6 for receiving the end of the conductor.The metal portion of the conductor is bared as shown in Fig. 1, toengage the terminal.

At the junction of the portions 4 and 5,

the bore of the flaring portion 4, and that of the portion 5 areconnected bypassages 7 and 8 adapted for the spark plug terminal and thebared wire respectively. It will be evident that with the conductor inplace, in the protectoras shown in Fig. 1, when the protector is pushedonto the spark plug, the terminal 7 will engage the bared Wire making aperfect contact.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2, the protector 9 which is similar tothat shown in Fig. 1 has a metal lining for the terminal. This liningmay be as shown in Fig. 3 or as shown in Fig. 4;. In Fig. 3, the liningconsists of sections 10 and 11 each of which is a half cylinder, thatis, the entire lining is of cylindrical form slit diametrically lnto twohalves.

The outer surface of each of these sections is roughened or corrugatedas shown to insure a close engagement in the opening 12 whichcorresponds with the opening 7 of Fig. 1, and one of the sections has aradial opening 13 for the passage of the conductor. The lower ends ofthe sections are counterbored or reamed as shown to facilitate theentrance of the terminal 7.

In the construction shown in Fig. 4, the lining consists of sections 1 1and 15 similar to the sections 10 and 11 in that they have roughenedexteriors, and in that the section 15 has an opening 16 for theconductor.

These sections however have an internal circumferentially extending rib17 which is adapted to engage 1n the thread of the spark plug terminalto more securely hold the parts together.

The split in the linings is placed at slots or recesses in the rubber,so that by pressing at these points the sections may be separate whendesired for any purpose. The linings are'vulcanized in place. It will beunderstood that the conductor is cemented or otherwise secured in theprotector. With the conductor sosecured, it will be evident that whenthe protector is placed on the spark plug, there is no possibility ofthe bare hand touching the parts to cause shock.

The metal lining insures a connection between the terminal and theconductor over a wider area than would be the case if such lining wereomitted. Furthermore, the parts are conveniently attached and detached,and no tools are necessary.

I claim A combined connector and protector for spark plugs and theconnections comprising a member of resilient insulatin material composedof two portions extending at an angle with respect to each other andcored to fit closely and receive the end of the plug and the connection,each cored portion havmg a reduced axlal extenslon at His lnner end andsald extensions communicating to permit the connection to touch theterminal of the plug Within the protector, the reduced 10 portion forthe plug terminal having a metal liner which is sectional to permit itto be expanded and which has an internal circumferentially extending ribfor the purpose specified.

EDMUND HERBERT WEBER.

